A practical, insightful book: My review of "Praying for Boys" by Brooke McGlothlin

about the book....

What Are Your Biggest Concerns for Your Son?
Instead of trying harder to change your boy's behavior or worrying about his future, enjoy the peace that comes when you pray specific prayers for him straight from the Bible. This encouraging book helps you target your prayers on what your son needs most--from patience and self-control to having a pure heart and making wise decisions.

Today you can start giving whatever concerns you have to God and

- learn to fight for your son's heart in prayer
- look at raising boys as a gift
- see how even quick prayers make a difference
- understand boys' deepest struggles, no matter their age
- rest in knowing that God is the only One who can change your son's heart

Written for moms but great for dads (and grandparents) too, this easy-to-use book is filled with uplifting stories and biblical wisdom that will equip you on your journey to raising a godly man.

Includes a 21-Day Prayer Guide for Small Groups, in Person or Online!

my review....

Although “Praying for Boys” is targeted at moms, I believe that this is a powerful book that should also be in the hands of dads, grand-parents, aunts and uncles and anyone else who plays a role in the life of a boy. The book is easy to read, and at under 200 pages it would be hard for someone to argue that they just don’t have time to read it! I greatly appreciated McGlothlin’s biblical advice provided in the pages of this book, showing the power of praying scripture over our children and so birthing God’s will in their lives. But I also loved the fact that she’s not afraid to relate her own struggles with parenting her own sons, that she shows that neither she nor her children are perfect, and that she’s down in the trenches praying hard just like the rest of us should be. The overall focus on prayer is a powerful one, and I love how she honestly reflects that she doesn’t pray because she has a special anointing to do so. Rather, she prayers “because I don’t know what else to do. I pray because I don’t have all the answers...because I’m desperate for a word-touch from the God who made me and because I can’t do this life thing without his direction”. There is something powerful about surrendering our boys to God through prayer and partnering with God in releasing all the good things he has in store for them. The author does an excellent job at guiding readers to teach their sons to have servant hearts, to be quick to forgive, to learn patience and self-control, to take a stand for purity. I loved praying through the prayers she lists for each section, while inserting my son’s name there. I also found the questions “for reflection or discussion” to be very thought provoking. Also, her anecdotes about her own family or examples of people from scripture add a richness to the book that kept me engaged from beginning to end.

Well-written, and sure to inspire confidence that we are parenting with our loving God by our side, “Praying for Boys” is a practical and insightful book, one that I will be encouraging many others to read as well. I award this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

 about the author....

Brooke McGlothlin has encouraged thousands of moms toward a richer prayer life as co-founder of the popular online community for mothers of boys, the MOB Society (www.themobsociety.com). She's the author of several books and resources for moms, and lives in the mountains of southwest Virginia with her husband, their two sons, and two Labs.